Adjustable traction frame for bedstead



April 29, 1958 A. KITCHIN. 2,832,337

ADJUSTABLE TRACTION. FOR BEDSTEAD Filed June 2, 1955 mi- //7 4 m W,- a v a d 35 W4 ADJUSTABLE TRACTION FRAME FOR BEDSTEAD Arthur Kitchin, Trenton, N. J.

Application June 2, 1955, Serial No. 512,721

6 Claims (Cl. 128-84) My invention relates to an adjustable frame for supporting a plurality of weight and pulley orthopedic traction devices, and more particularly to a frame wherein the positioning of such traction devices may be changed in accordance with the height of the bed or with the height of the patient with respect to the bed stead against which the traction devices are mounted.

Generally when a patient requires orthopedic correction of a nature in which it is necessary to keep certain parts of the body under tension, it is required that a plurality of tensioning devices be used so that the tension is properly applied simultaneously to all parts of the body requiring the same; The conventional method for applying tension is to attach to the patients bedstead a plurality of weights which are connected to the tensioning devices, each of which rides over a pulley. in the event that it is desired to raise or lower the bed or the patients position on the bed, it is necessary to similarly adjust the position of the traction device with respect to the bedstead in order that proper tension be maintained. When a plurality of such devices are used, it is usually necessary that a separate adjustment be made for each. This not only involves considerable work by hospital attendants, but in the case of each weight it necessitates a separate measurement of how far such devices must be raised or lowered.

Moreover, in installations using a plurality of traction devices, which in many instances includes as many as ten sets of weight-pulley members, the traction devices along with means for adjusting them take up considerable space and are a safety hazard in a crowded hospital or sick room, particularly in the case of nurses or other attendants who must be continually moving around between the beds.

I propose to overcome these difficulties by providing an economical, safe and easily adjustable frame which will carry a plurality of weight and pulley traction devices and which is so arranged as to adjust all of the said traction devices simultaneously.

Accordingly it is an object of my invention to provide a common frame member for adjusting a plurality of traction devices.

It is another object of my invention to provide an easily adjustable frame which is simply and econornically constructed, and holding a plurality of weight and pulley traction devices enabling all of thesaid pulleys to be simultaneously vertically adjusted in accordance with the position of the patient or height of the bed.

These and other objects of my invention will become more apparent when taken in connection with the following description and the drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates how my novel frame would appear when applied to a bedstead and when it is arranged to carry a plurality of pulleys each of which is used for a separate traction device.

Figure 2 is a side view of my novel frame as it would i 2332,33? Patented Apr, 29, 1958 appear when it is adjusted so that each of the pulleys are in a lower position.

Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 showing how the pulleys and the traction devices in general may be raised by my adjustable frame.

Essentially, my invention involves a frame having a front member, opposed side members, means attached to the front member thereof for supporting a plurality of traction devices and means for vertically adjusting the frame so that all of the traction devices are simultaneously vertically adjusted.

Also provided is a hook or other device for clamping the same to a bedstead. The adjustment of the frame is made possible by varying the effective length of a threaded bracing member which is secured to each of the opposed side members of the said frame. This will be more apparent when considered in connection with the following discussion of Figures 1 to 3.

Referring first to Figure 1 it can be seen that my frame comprises a front member itl secured to or integral with side members 11 and 12. The frame is attached to a bedstead having vertical member 15 and at its upper extremity a horizontal cross bar 14, by means of hooks 1'7 and 18 which are secured to the side members of the frame.

The front members of the frame have therein a plurality of holes 2t) which will support hooks of the proper dimension, such as books 21a, b, c and of used to support their respective pulleys 23a, b, c and :1. Each of these pulleys carries a cord, rope or other tensioning member 25a, b, c and d, one end of which is secured to the limb of the patient requiring orthopedic correction. Tension is supplied by means of weights 26a, b, c and d, which are attached to their respective tensioning cords in any suitable fashion. A simple method of attachment is to a loop 28 formed in the cord through which the hooked end 29 of the weight supporting brace 30 may be passed.

Referring again to the construction of the frame it can be seen that within each of the side members i l and 12 there is mounted a U-shaped link 35. The link is pivoted to each side of the frame in a manner shown by numeral 37. Transverse bar 38 of the U-shaped link rides vertically against the frame 15 of the bedstead. When its angular position with respect to the side member of the frame is varied, it rides against the vertical portion 15 of the bedstead or against any other suitable vertical support, thereby raising or lowering the vertical position of pivot 37 which in turn determines the position of the pulley support means.

The variation of the angular relationship between the frame and U-shaped link is accomplished by means of a bracing member if) threaded at one end and having the threaded end secured to the side member of the brace and the other end thereof provided with an annular ring 41 or other suitable device for securing the brace to the U-shaped link 35. By changing the effective length of this bracing member the lever, at the point where it is contacted by the said brace, may be closer or pushed further away from the body of the brace. This adjustment can be made by using a suitably threaded member such as wing nut Referring now to Figures 2 and 3 it can be seen that Figure 2 illustrates how my frame would appear when it is desired to lower the traction device. Under these conditions the wing nut is near the end of the brace. Upon tightening the nut the position illustrated in Figure 3 is approached by the fact that the link as it is pulled against the side member of the frame and exerts a pressure against the vertical support, such as bed assess? stead 15 forces the pivot point 37 in an upward direction thereby also raising the front member 10 of the frame which in turn raises the pulley and the traction device. This simple adjustment by means of a wing nut on either side of the frame will simultaneously raise all of the traction devices should it be desired to raise the level or thickness of the mattress 45, the bed frame 46 or otherwise raise or lower the patients position in the bed.

The clamping hooks 17 and 18 and the U-shaped link 35 may be rubber covered so as to provide sufficient friction at the points of contact around the upper bar 14 of the bedstead and the bracing member 40, respectively.

Obviously the parts of my device may be joined to each other by means of appropriate screws, welds or rivets and I do not wish to limit myself as to the method of assembly thereof.

In the foregoing, I have described my invention only in connection with preferred embodiments thereof. Many variations and modifications of the principles of my invention within the scope of the description herein are obvious. Accordingly, I prefer to be bound not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appending claims.

I claim:

1. An adjustable frame for supporting a plurality of weight and pulley traction devices on a bedstead, said frame comprising a front member and opposed side members, clamping hooks secured to the said opposed side members of said frame for supporting the same on the bedstead, the front member of said frame having means for supporting a plurality of pulleys; a U-shaped link, vertically slidable against the bedstead and having the hight thereof substantially parallel to the said front member and to floor, said link being pivotally secured to the opposed side members of the said frame; an adjustable bracing member crosswise of and interconnecting a side member of the frame and the corresponding side of the said U-shaped link; and means operatively connected to said bracing member for adjusting the effective iength of said bracing member so as to change the angular relationship between the said frame and link thereby varying the vertical position of the said pulley-supporting front frame member.

2. An adjustable frame for supporting a plurality of weight and pulley traction devices on a bedstead, said frame comprising a front member and opposed side members, means secured to said frame for supporting said frame on a bedstead, the front member of said frame having means for supporting a piurarity of pulleys; a Llshaped link vertically slidable against the bedstead, said link being pivotally secured to the opposed side members of the said frame; an adjustable bracing member crosswise of and interconnecting a side member of the frame and the corresponding side of the said ti-shaped link; and means operatively connected to said bracing member for adjusting the effective length of said bracing member so as to change the angular relationship between the said frame and link thereby varying the vertical position of the said pulley-supporting front frame member.

3. An adjustable frame for supporting a plurality of weight and pulley traction devices on a bedstead, said frame comprising a front member and opposed side mem-- bers, means secured to said frame for supporting said frame on a bedstead, the front member of said frame having means for supporting piuraiity of pu leys; U- shaped link vertically slidabl against the bed ad, link being; pivotally secured to the opposed side members of the said frame; a threaded bracing member having one end thereof secured to a side member of the said. frame, the other end thereof being provided with an annular ring slidably surrounding the corresponding side of the said U-shaped link; and means operatively connected to said bracing member for adjusting the effective length of said bracing member so as to change the angular relationship between the said frame and link thereby varying the vertical position of the said pulleysupporting front frame member.

4. An adjustable frame for supporting a plurality of weight and pulley traction devices on a bedstead, said frame comprising a front member and opposed side members, means secured to said frame for supporting said frame on a bedstead, the front member of said frame having means for supporting a plurality of pulleys; a U- shaped link vertically slidable against the bedstead, said link being pivotally secured to the opposed side members of the said frame; a threaded bracing member having one end thereof secured to a side member of the frame, the other end thereof being provided with. an annular ring siidably surrounding the corresponding side of the said U-shaped link; and a wing nut at the first mentioned end of the bracing member for adjusting the effective length of said bracing member so as to change the angular relationship between the said frame and link thereby varying the vertical position of the said pulley-supporting front frame member.

5. An adjustable frame for supporting a plurality of weight and pulley traction devices on a bedstead, said frame comprising a front member and opposed side members, clamping hooks secured to the said opposed side members for supporting the same on the bedstead, the front member of said frame having means for supporting a plurality of pulleys; a U-shaped link vertically slidable against the bedstead and having the bight thereof substantially parallel to the said front member and to the floor, said link being pivotally secured to the opposed side members of the said frame; a threaded bracing memher having one end thereof secured to a side member of the said frame, the other end thereof being provided with an annular ring slidably surrounding the corresponding side of the said U-shaped link; and means at the first mentioned end of the bracing member for adjusting the effective length of said bracing member so as to change the angular relationship between the said frame and link thereby varying the vertical position of the said pulleysupporting front frame member.

6. An adjustable frame for supporting a plurality of weight and pulley traction devices on a bedstead, said frame comprising a front member and opposed side members, clamping hooks secured to the said opposed side members for supporting the same on the bedstead, the front member of said frame having means for supporting a plurality of pulleys; a U-shaped link vertically slidable against the bedstead and having the bight thereof substantially parallel to the said front member and to the floor, said link being pivotally secured to the opposed side members of the said frame; a threaded bracing member having one end thereof secured to a side member of the said frame, the other end thereof being provided with an annular ring slidably surrounding the corresponding side of the said U-shaped link; and a wing nut at the first mentioned end of the bracing member for adjusting the effective length of said bracing member so as to change the angular relationship between the said frame and link thereby varying the vertical position of the said pulley-supporting front frame member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 566,114- Young Aug. 18, 1896 896,114 Jacobson Aug. 18, 1908 1,380,297 Hughes May 31, 1921 2,601,686 Roessler July 1, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 526,943 Belgium Mar. 31, 1954 

